Том Сториз Современный английский для школьников. Школьные и жизненные ситуации на английском

© Том Сториз, 2026

ISBN 978-5-0070-4264-2

Создано в интеллектуальной издательской системе Ridero

Введение

Данное пособие предназначено для учащихся средней и старшей школы, изучающих английский язык на уровне B1. Его цель заключается в системном развитии навыков чтения, расширении активного словарного запаса и формировании умения понимать и использовать современный английский язык в контексте реальных жизненных ситуаций.

Материалы пособия ориентированы на темы, актуальные для молодых людей школьного возраста. В них рассматриваются вопросы, связанные с учебной нагрузкой, организацией времени, межличностными отношениями, эмоциональным состоянием, цифровой средой, а также формированием самостоятельности и личной ответственности. Тематика текстов соответствует возрастным особенностям обучающихся и их повседневному опыту.

Каждая глава включает связный текст, написанный в естественном и доступном стиле, с последующим методическим сопровождением. После основного материала предлагаются лексические единицы с переводом на русский язык, речевые модели, а также задания для закрепления и практического использования изученного материала.

Особое внимание уделяется развитию навыков понимания устойчивых выражений, типичных словосочетаний и конструкций, используемых в современном английском языке. Это позволяет учащимся не только расширять словарный запас, но и формировать более точное и уверенное выражение мыслей.

Структура пособия направлена на последовательное формирование языковой компетенции: от понимания текста к его осмыслению и дальнейшему использованию в устной и письменной речи. Дополнительные вопросы и задания способствуют развитию навыков рефлексии и самостоятельного мышления.

Пособие может использоваться как в учебном процессе, так и для самостоятельной работы, обеспечивая постепенное и устойчивое развитие уровня владения английским языком.

Dealing with stress at school

It was Monday morning, and I already felt tired before the day even started. My alarm had gone off three times, but I kept pressing snooze because I didn’t want to get out of bed. I had a math test first lesson, a history presentation after lunch, and on top of that, I hadn’t finished my homework for English. Just thinking about everything made my stomach feel tight.

When I finally got to school, the corridors were noisy as usual. Everyone was talking, laughing, running to their classes, but I felt like I was moving in slow motion. I tried to open my math notebook, but the formulas looked confusing, although I had studied them the night before. I started to panic a little because I couldn’t remember simple things that usually felt easy.

During the test, my mind went completely blank for a few seconds. I looked around and saw other students writing quickly, which made me feel even more stressed. I told myself to breathe and focus on just one question at a time, so I started slowly. It wasn’t perfect, but at least I was writing something instead of freezing.

At lunch, my friend noticed I was quiet. She asked what was wrong, and I told her everything. She laughed a little and said, «You always do this before tests, but you always pass them in the end.» It sounded simple, but somehow it helped. Sometimes we forget that stress makes things feel worse than they really are.

After school, I stayed a bit longer in the library. I broke my homework into small parts instead of trying to do everything at once. It felt easier that way, because I could actually see progress. I also realized that I often make things harder in my mind than they are in reality.

On the way home, I listened to music and watched people walking in the streets. I thought about how stress doesn’t really disappear, but it changes when you learn how to handle it. Some days will still feel heavy, but maybe that’s normal.

When I got home, I didn’t rush. I made tea, sat down, and opened my notebook again. This time, it didn’t feel like a fight.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

snooze the alarm — откладывать будильник

feel tired before the day starts — чувствовать усталость с самого начала дня

on top of that — вдобавок к этому

stomach feels tight — напряжение в животе (от стресса)

noisy corridors — шумные коридоры

move in slow motion — двигаться как в замедленной съёмке

open my notebook — открыть тетрадь

look confusing — выглядеть запутанным

go completely blank — полностью «провалиться» в памяти

at a time — по одному (шаг за шагом)

freeze under pressure — застыть под давлением

feel stressed out — чувствовать сильный стресс

in the end — в конце концов

break something into small parts — разбить на маленькие части

make things harder in my mind — усложнять всё в голове

in reality — в реальности

handle stress — справляться со стрессом

stay a bit longer — остаться немного дольше

feel easier that way — так кажется легче

listen to music — слушать музыку

take your time — не торопиться

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I felt ___ because ___ — Я чувствовал (а) ___ потому что ___

When I finally ___, I ___ — Когда я наконец ___, я ___

It made me feel ___ — Это заставило меня чувствовать ___

I tried to ___, but ___ — Я пытался (ась) ___, но ___

Instead of ___, I decided to ___ — Вместо ___ я решил (а) ___

It felt easier when I ___ — Это стало легче, когда я ___

I realized that ___ — Я понял (а), что ___

On the way home, I ___ — По дороге домой я ___

I told myself to ___ — Я сказал (а) себе ___

At first, I couldn’t ___, but later I ___ — Сначала я не мог (ла) ___, но потом я ___

Now think about your own experience:

When do you usually feel stressed at school?

What subjects make you feel more pressure, and why?

How do you behave when you are under stress?

Do you talk to anyone when you feel overwhelmed?

What helps you calm down during a difficult school day?

Have you ever surprised yourself by doing better than expected under pressure?

Do you prefer working alone or in a group when you are stressed?

What small habits could help reduce your stress?

Here are some possible answers:

1. When do you usually feel stressed at school?

I usually feel stressed before exams or presentations because I worry about making mistakes. For example, before a math test I often feel nervous and overthink simple tasks.

2. What subjects make you feel more pressure, and why?

Math and science make me feel more pressure because there are clear right or wrong answers. I sometimes feel stressed if I can’t solve a problem quickly, although I know I just need more practice.

3. How do you behave when you are under stress?

When I am stressed, I become quiet and try to focus on my work. I often break tasks into small parts because it helps me feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

4. Do you talk to anyone when you feel overwhelmed?

Yes, I usually talk to a close friend because it helps me relax. Sometimes just sharing my thoughts makes the situation feel easier and less serious than I thought.

5. What helps you calm down during a difficult school day?

Listening to music and taking short breaks helps me calm down. For example, I go for a short walk or just sit quietly for a few minutes to clear my mind.

6. Have you ever surprised yourself by doing better than expected under pressure?

Yes, sometimes I think I will do badly, but in the end I do better than expected. It shows me that stress is often worse in my head than in reality.

7. Do you prefer working alone or in a group when you are stressed?

I prefer working alone because I can focus better and manage my own pace. However, sometimes group work helps because other people can explain things differently.

8. What small habits could help reduce your stress?

I think planning my time better and not leaving everything for the last minute would help. Also, sleeping well and taking short breaks during studying could reduce stress a lot.

Complete the sentences:

Before exams, I often feel ___ because ___

Instead of panicking, I try to ___

When I feel stressed, I usually ___

It becomes easier for me when I ___

On busy school days, I need to ___

Feeling confident or insecure

It was a normal school morning, but for me it didn’t feel normal at all. I was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting my shirt for the third time. I checked my hair, my backpack, even my shoes. Nothing looked wrong, but I still didn’t feel ready. Today we had to present a project in front of the class, and just thinking about it made my hands a little cold.

On the way to school, I kept imagining different situations. What if I forget my words? What if people start laughing? What if the teacher asks a difficult question? I knew these thoughts were not very logical, but they kept coming back again and again. At the same time, I noticed some classmates walking confidently, talking loudly, laughing without hesitation. It made me compare myself to them, and suddenly I felt smaller, like I didn’t belong.

In the classroom, everything felt louder than usual. Chairs moving, pages turning, people whispering. My heart started beating faster when my name was called. I walked to the front, holding my notes tightly. My hands were shaking a bit, but I tried to smile. I remembered what my friend once said: «People don’t see your fear as much as you think they do.» That thought helped me start.

At first, my voice sounded strange, but after a minute, I got used to it. I looked at my classmates and noticed that most of them were just listening quietly, not judging me. That surprised me. I had expected something worse, but reality was calmer than my imagination. I still made a small mistake, but nobody reacted in a bad way, so I just continued.

After the presentation, I went back to my seat and felt a strange mix of emotions. I wasn’t fully confident, but I wasn’t as insecure as before either. It was like standing somewhere in the middle. My friend gave me a small thumbs-up, and that simple gesture made me relax even more.

During lunch, I thought about confidence. It seems like some people are born with it, but maybe that’s not true. Maybe confidence is something that grows slowly, every time you do something even if you are scared. Insecurity doesn’t disappear completely, but it becomes quieter when you don’t listen to it too much.

On the way home, I noticed myself walking more naturally, not overthinking every step. I still had doubts in my head, but they didn’t control me as much as before. And for some reason, that felt like progress.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

adjust my shirt — поправлять рубашку

for the third time — в третий раз

feel ready — чувствовать себя готовым

in front of the mirror — перед зеркалом

on the way to school — по дороге в школу

come back again and again — возвращаться снова и снова

feel insecure — чувствовать неуверенность

feel confident — чувствовать уверенность

compare myself to others — сравнивать себя с другими

stand in front of the class — стоять перед классом

heart started beating faster — сердце начало биться быстрее

hold my notes tightly — крепко держать записи

get used to it — привыкнуть к этому

look at my classmates — смотреть на одноклассников

be just listening quietly — просто тихо слушать

expect something worse — ожидать худшего

reality was calmer — реальность была спокойнее

make a small mistake — сделать небольшую ошибку

go back to my seat — вернуться на своё место

a mix of emotions — смесь эмоций

in the middle — где-то посередине

give a thumbs-up — показать «палец вверх»

grow slowly — расти постепенно

listen to it — слушать это (внутренний голос)

take control — брать контроль

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I felt ___ because ___ — Я чувствовал (а) ___ потому что ___

I kept thinking about ___ — Я постоянно думал (а) о ___

What if ___? — А что если ___?

I tried to ___, but ___ — Я пытался (ась) ___, но ___

It made me feel ___ — Это заставило меня чувствовать ___

At first, I ___, but then I ___ — Сначала я ___, но потом я ___

I noticed that ___ — Я заметил (а), что ___

It was worse in my imagination than in reality — В воображении было хуже, чем в реальности

I wasn’t sure, but I ___ — Я не был (а) уверен (а), но я ___

That small moment helped me ___ — Этот маленький момент помог мне ___

Now think about your own experience:

In what situations do you feel confident?

When do you usually feel insecure?

Do you compare yourself to other people? Why or why not?

What helps you feel more confident in school?

Have you ever surprised yourself by doing something you were afraid of?

How does your body react when you feel nervous?

Who or what gives you confidence?

Do you think confidence can be learned, or is it natural?

Here are some possible answers:

1. In what situations do you feel confident?

I feel confident when I know I am prepared, for example before tests when I studied well. In those moments I don’t overthink and just focus on what I need to do.

2. When do you usually feel insecure?

I usually feel insecure when I have to speak in front of many people. I worry about making mistakes, although most of the time nothing bad actually happens.

3. Do you compare yourself to other people? Why or why not?

Sometimes I compare myself to others because it is easy to think they are better. But I try to remember that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

4. What helps you feel more confident in school?

Being well-prepared helps me feel more confident. When I study in advance, I feel calmer and less worried about unexpected questions.

5. Have you ever surprised yourself by doing something you were afraid of?

Yes, I once gave a presentation even though I was very nervous. In the end, it was not as bad as I expected, and I felt proud of myself.

6. How does your body react when you feel nervous?

When I feel nervous, my heart beats faster and my hands sometimes shake. I also find it hard to concentrate at first, but it gets better after a while.

7. Who or what gives you confidence?

My friends and small successes give me confidence. Even small achievements remind me that I can handle difficult situations step by step.

8. Do you think confidence can be learned, or is it natural?

I think confidence can be learned because it grows with experience. The more you face difficult situations, the easier they become over time.

Complete the sentences:

I feel confident when I ___ because ___

Before speaking in front of people, I usually ___

I sometimes compare myself to ___

One thing that helps me feel secure is ___

At first, I felt insecure, but then I ___

Making important life decisions

It was late in the evening, and my room was unusually quiet. I was sitting at my desk, staring at two papers in front of me. One was a list of schools I could apply to next year, and the other was a simple notebook page where I had written pros and cons. It looked simple on paper, but in my head it felt much bigger than that.

I had been thinking about this decision for weeks. My parents had their opinions, my friends had theirs, and even my teachers sometimes gave advice without me asking. Some people said I should choose a school close to home because it is safer and more comfortable. Others said I should try something more challenging, even if it feels scary at the beginning. And I was stuck somewhere in the middle, not fully sure what I really wanted.

At first, I thought making a decision would be quick. You just compare options and choose the best one, right? But in reality, it doesn’t work like that. Every choice seemed to have both good and bad sides. If I chose comfort, I might miss opportunities. If I chose challenge, I might feel lost or stressed. So the more I thought about it, the more complicated it became.

One evening, I went for a walk to clear my head. The air was cool, and the streets were calm. I noticed how people were living their normal lives, not thinking too much about big life decisions in that moment. That made me realize something: maybe not every decision needs to be perfect. Maybe some decisions are just steps forward, not final answers.

When I got home, I started writing again. This time, I didn’t just list facts. I wrote how each option made me feel. One school made me feel safe, but a little bored. Another made me feel nervous, but also curious. That word «curious» stayed in my mind. It felt like a small sign.

The next day, I talked to a teacher I trust. She didn’t tell me what to do. Instead, she asked me questions like, «Where do you see yourself growing?» and «Which choice feels more like you, even if it is harder?» I didn’t answer immediately, but those questions stayed with me.

Later that night, I realized something important. I was trying so hard to find a «perfect» decision that I forgot decisions are also about learning. Even if I make a mistake, I can adjust later. Life is not one straight road; it’s more like many small turns.

I still didn’t have a final answer that day, but I felt a bit lighter. The pressure didn’t disappear, but it changed shape. Instead of fear, there was a quiet feeling that I could figure it out step by step.

And somehow, that was enough for now.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

stare at something — смотреть пристально на что-то

pros and cons — плюсы и минусы

make an important decision — принимать важное решение

in front of me — передо мной

think for weeks — думать неделями

have different opinions — иметь разные мнения

feel stuck — чувствовать себя в тупике

in the middle — посередине

on paper — на бумаге

in reality — в реальности

clear my head — «проветрить голову»

take a walk — пойти на прогулку

calm streets — спокойные улицы

normal life — обычная жизнь

step forward — шаг вперёд

make a choice — сделать выбор

feel nervous but curious — чувствовать волнение и интерес

stay in my mind — оставаться в голове

talk to someone you trust — поговорить с тем, кому доверяешь

ask questions — задавать вопросы

grow as a person — расти как личность

final answer — окончательный ответ

make a mistake — сделать ошибку

adjust later — изменить позже

quiet feeling — спокойное чувство

pressure changes shape — давление меняется по форме

figure something out — разобраться

step by step — шаг за шагом

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I had to decide whether to ___ or ___ — Мне нужно было выбрать между ___ и ___

At first, I thought ___, but then I realized ___ — Сначала я думал (а), но потом понял (а)

It felt difficult because ___ — Это было сложно, потому что ___

I wasn’t sure what to choose, so I ___ — Я не был (а) уверен (а), поэтому я ___

One option made me feel ___, but the other made me feel ___ — Один вариант заставлял чувствовать ___, другой ___

I talked to someone who ___ — Я поговорил (а) с человеком, который ___

It stayed in my mind — Это осталось в моей голове

I realized that ___ — Я понял (а), что ___

Instead of rushing, I decided to ___ — Вместо спешки я решил (а) ___

In the end, I felt ___ — В конце я почувствовал (а) ___

Now think about your own experience:

Have you ever had to make an important decision? What was it?

Do you usually decide quickly or think for a long time?

Who helps you when you are unsure about something important?

What is more important for you: safety or new experience? Why?

Have you ever changed your mind after making a decision?

Do you trust your own decisions or ask others first?

What makes a decision «good» in your opinion?

How do you feel when you finally make a difficult choice?

Here are some possible answers:

1. Have you ever had to make an important decision? What was it?

Yes, I had to decide which subjects to focus on for my future studies. It was difficult because I had different interests and I wasn’t sure what would be useful later.

2. Do you usually decide quickly or think for a long time?

I usually think for a long time because I want to understand all options. Sometimes this helps, but sometimes it also makes me more confused.

3. Who helps you when you are unsure about something important?

My parents and teachers help me when I am unsure. They don’t decide for me, but they give advice that helps me see things more clearly.

4. What is more important for you: safety or new experience? Why?

New experience is more important for me because it helps me grow. Even if it is scary at first, I think I learn more from challenging situations.

5. Have you ever changed your mind after making a decision?

Yes, I have changed my mind before because I realized my first choice was not the best for me. It showed me that it is okay to adjust plans later.

6. Do you trust your own decisions or ask others first?

I usually ask others first, but I try to trust myself more. I think advice is helpful, but the final decision should be mine.

7. What makes a decision «good» in your opinion?

A good decision is one that helps you move forward, even if it is not perfect. It should feel right for you and match your goals.

8. How do you feel when you finally make a difficult choice?

I feel relieved but also a bit nervous. It feels like a weight is lifted, but I also think about what will happen next.

Complete the sentences: